Part 11
A clap of thunder rattled her soul like an earthquake and she curled up tighter in her little corner of the couch. She closed her eyes against the storm but it didn’t do any good. The storm raging in her mind was far worse than the one outside.
Don’t think about it!! Happy thoughts Damnit! You’re safe. Alex isn’t going to let anyone hurt you. You’ve got your own freakin’ bodyguard for Christ’s sake.
She kept trying to convince herself to think happy thoughts but the storm inside had complete control of her mind and her body.
AJ had made his way into the living room where he found her in a tight ball, her body shaking and tears pouring down her cheeks much like the rain that was falling outside. There was that same terrified look in her eyes too that he had seen last night. The mystery just kept building…she didn’t have any ID; she didn’t talk except to call out for ‘Ricky’; and she was quite obviously terrified of storms. Or was she? Did the storm remind her of Ricky? What is it going to take to get her to tell him what was going on in her life?
Moving the kitten that had curled up at her feet, AJ sat beside her on the couch. Leaning back, he put his arm on the back and she immediately moved closer tucking herself under his arm.
“I talked to Howie while I was upstairs. He said there’s a movie premier out in LA in a couple weeks and invited us to join him. It would be a chance for you to wear that dress and for me to show you off. Wanna go?”
‘Stormy’ nodded her head ‘yes’.
“Cool! I’ll get us a flight out and we can catch up with Howie. He said we could share his suite with him and his sister. Howie asked how you were doing and I told him what the doctor said. He wants to meet you sometime soon. He mentioned being home this weekend. Maybe we can run out to the coast and see him.”
Again she nodded her head but as another clap of thunder shook the air, she clung to him a little tighter.
AJ hugged her close running his fingers through her hair. Softly, he said, “It’s okay, baby. Nothing’s going to hurt you. I’m right here to hold you.”
The couple sat quietly listening to the storm outside lost in their own thoughts about each other until the front door blew open and nearly sent Stormy out of her skin.
Looking up to see that it was Marcus coming in, AJ said reassuringly, “It’s just Marcus bringing in the groceries you sent him to get. Come on, why don’t we go in the kitchen and put them away? It’ll get your mind off the storm. You obviously want to cook for me and I’m kinda curious to know what it is you’re gonna fix.”
“Me too since you don’t like anything that can’t be bought at a fast food joint,” grumbled Marcus. “It’ll be good to have something GOOD for a change.”
“You aren’t starving,” snarked AJ as the big man went by them with an armful of groceries. “And if you don’t quit ragging my ass, you’re gonna be flipping burgers at a fast food joint!”
“In your dreams, McLean!! I don’t think Stormy would let you fire me,” grinned Marcus looking back at Stormy. They had hit it off immediately which was a relief to AJ.
‘Stormy’ shook her head to say that she wouldn’t let AJ fire Marcus but hugged AJ’s waist as they followed Marcus.
The two men spent the next few hours entertaining ‘Stormy’ with stories about being on the road and helping her with dinner. She could tell they were close and they made her feel a part of them by teasing her just as much as they teased each other.
Dinner over, Marcus gave ‘Stormy’ a kiss on the cheek. “That was the BEST I’ve EVER had in this kitchen. I’ll see you later…and don’t let AJ give you too hard a time.”
As the door closed, AJ circled her waist with his arms and kissed her on the forehead. “It WAS a good dinner but you know, you look really tired. Why don’t you go to bed?”
‘Stormy’s’ pout was interrupted by a yawn.
AJ laughed, “See, you’re so tired, you can’t even pout. Come on, beautiful. I’ll tuck you in.”
Holding her by the waist, AJ followed her upstairs and into the guestroom. While she changed into one of the satin gowns he had bought for her, he stared out the window watching the rain roll down the window. The thunder and lightning had subsided but it was still raining lightly.
Feeling her hands on his waist, he turned to face her and was captivated by her beauty. He felt himself harden and had to fight the urge to take her right then. Helping her into bed, he pulled the covers up under her chin and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Sleep tight, ‘Stormy’.”
Sometime in the night, she once again stole across the hall and eased into his bed. He woke enough to be aware of her warmth next to him and he pulled her close against his body. Together, they slept peacefully through the night hours.
